Pivot structure for vehicle-wheels.



Patented Ian. 8; 190i.

J. P. MAcLEABN.

PIVOT STRUCTURE FOR VEHICLE-WHEELS.

No. 665,833. Patented Jan. 3, I901.

J. P. MACLEARN.

PIVOT STRUCTURE FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.

(Application filed Mar. 30, 1900.)

(No Model.) f 2 Sheets-Shoat 2;

Illl

A:% E. i i

g=;% I! ,L -L b mm TATES JOHN P. MAOLEARN, OF

J. DANIEL PIVOT STRUCTURE FOR VEHICLE-WHEELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,833, dated January 8, 1901. Application tiled March 30, 1900. Serial No. 10,786. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN P. MACLEARN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Pivot Structures for Vehicle-Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a compact but strong and durable form of pivotmounting for the hub of a wheel whereby the vertical pivotal axis will pass through the wheel at or about its pointof support, thereby permitting the ready turning of the wheel for steering purposes. This object I attain in the manner hereinafter set forth, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an inner face view of a wheelhub with pivot-mounting therefor in accordance with my invention, the axle being represented in cross-section. Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section on the line a a, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view partly in plan and partly in sectional plan on the line b b, Fig. 1. Fig. i is a transverse section on theline d d, Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line f f, Fig. 2.

The axle of the vehicle is represented at 1, this axle being preferably rectangular in cross-section and having formed integral with it at its outer end a vertical pivot-pin 2, upon which is mounted the pivot-block of the hub. This block comprises upper and lower sections precisely similar to each other,-the block being divided on a central horizontal line, each section comprising a box 3 for the reception of one of the projecting portions of the pivot-pin 2, a projecting flat web 4 for bearing upon the top or bottom of the axle, a semiconical web 5, and a journal-section 6.

The flat bearing-web 4 of each half of the pivot-block is connected to the semiconical web 5 by an interposed bracing or stiffening web 7, and said semiconical webs 5 are confined by a conical ring 8, which surrounds the same and has a portion of its outer face cylindrical, so as to provide a bearing for antifriction-rollers 9, mounted in an annular internal groove in the expanded inner portion of the wheel-hub 10, whereby said ring 8 serves the double purpose of confining the two portions of the pivot-block together at their inner ends and also provides a bearing for the inner portion of the hub. Screws 8 serve to confine the ring 8 to the portions 5 of the pivot-block.

The journal-sections 6 of the pivot-block project outwardly from the pivot-boxes 3 and are semicircular in cross-section, the outer portions of these journal-sections being reduced in diameter and threaded for the reception of a clamping-nut 11, which has a flange 12 bearing against a shoulder at the outer end of the hub 10, so that it serves the double purpose of securing the sections of the pivot-block together and of retaining the hub in its proper longitudinal position thereon.

The projecting journal portion 6 of the pivot-block serves as a bearing for antifriction-rollers 13, contained in a recessed portion of the outer end of the hub, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Owing to the fact that the pivot-pin 2 is integral with the axle 1, the maximum of strength in this vital element of the structure is insured, while the broad fiat bearing upon the axle provided by the webs 4 prevents strain upon the pin due to twisting or torsional movements of the wheel, the projecting journal 6 also aiding in the attainment of this result.

An arm 14 is secured to the inner face of the lower section of the pivot-block for connection with the steering mechanism of the vehicle. The inner and outer bearings of the hub provide a steady support for the latter and the expanded or conical form of the inner portion of the pivot-block provides the desired enlarged diameter for the inner bearing of the hub.

While the conical form of the internal portion of the pivot block and of the clampingring 8 is preferred because of the wedging action of said clamping-ring thereby insured, this form is not essential and may be modified without departing from the essential feature of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, in a pivot-bearing for the hub of a Wheel, of the axle having a vertical pivot-pin formed integral therewith, a sectional pivot-block fitted to said pivot-pin and having fiat bearing-webs contacting with the top and bottom of the axle, and means for securing together the sections of the pivotblock, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, in a pivot-bearing for the hub of a Wheel, of the axle having a vertical pivot-pin formed integral therewith, asectional pivot-block fitted to said pin and axle and having an outwardly-projecting journal portion providing an outer bearing for the hub, and means for securing together the sections of said pivot-block, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, in a pivot-bearing for the hub of a Wheel, of the axle havingavertical pivot-pin formed integral therewith, asectional pivot-block fitted to said pin and having bearing-Webs in contact with the top and bottom of the axle, and an outwardly-projecting journal portion forming a bearing for the outer portion of the hub, and means for securing together the sections of said pivotblock, substantially as specified.

4:. The combination, in a pivot-bearing for the hub of a wheel, of an axle having a vertical pivot-pin formed integral therewith, a sectional pivot-block fitted to said pin and axle and having an outwardly-projecting journal portion forming a bearing for the outer portion of the hub, and a nut serving to secure together the sections of said journal portion of the block and also as a stop to retain the hub in position on the block, substantially as 5. The combination, in a pivot-bearing for the hub of a wheel, of the axle having a vertical pivot-pin formed integral therewith, asectional pivot-block fitted to said pivot-pin and axle, and having a flaring or conical inner portion and a conical ring surrounding and confining said in ner portion of the pivot-block and providing a bearing for the inner portion of the hub, substantially as specified.

6. The combination, in a pivot-bearing for the hub of a wheel, of the axle having a vertical pivot-pin formed integral therewith, a sectional pivot-block fitted to said pivot-pin and having flat bearing-webs in contact with the top and bottom of the axle, and a flaring or conical portion connected to said Webs by interposed stiffening or bracing webs, substantially as specified.

7. The combination in a pivot-bearing for the hub of a wheel, of the axle having a fixed vertical pivot-pin, a sectional pivot-block fitted to'said pin and axle, and having means for securing together the sections of the block, the outer portion of said sectional pivot-block providing a journal-bearing for the outerportion of the hub, and the inner portion constituting an expanded bearing for the inner portion of the hub and having fiat Webs bearing upon the top and bottom of the axle, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN P. MACLEARN.

Witnesses:

F. E. BEOHTOLD, J 0s. H. KLEIN. 

